Black business group hosts third annual convention

Pauline Christian (left), president of BBPA receives the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from Margarett Best, minister of consumer services at the 3rd Annual National Black Business and Professional Convention - Day 1.

Francine Buchner
Gleaner Writer

Donald Cooper, executive director of Cooper Canada, world-leading manufacturer of protective sports equipment shared his secrets to success with local students at the opening ceremony of the two-day, 3rd Annual National Black Business and Professional Convention hosted by the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) last week.

His presentation titled ‘How to build your business, manage smarter, grow your bottom line’ was a hit with the audience of young persons.

EXTRAORDINARY

Cooper said each each business person must be committed to delivering extraordinary customer experience as people buy “stuff” to make their stress go away.

“So, our only real value to any other human being is in our ability to make some of their stress go away,” explained Cooper. Key to this he explained was attention to even the simpliestof details. “...return phone calls immediately, you must bring joy to your customer experience and you must give gratitude, “I know it sounds corny, but it’s so incredibly powerful,” said Cooper.

And, don’t be afraid to redefine your business. Pauline Christian, president of the BBPA spoke of the importance of getting students to attend conferences such as these and outlined how difficult it was for her to get the education system to allow the students to attend.

“This conference will lead to the development of our community, province and country,” said Margarett Best, minister of consumer services and who also honoured Christian with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

“Great things happen when you put the time in,” said Diane Lee-Clemons to the young people, “And you are in the right place.” “Capacity-building, that’s what we’re talking about here.

We’re talking about most of these people owning their own businesses in the next 10 years. You don’t get rich by having a job, you get rich by investing.

We’re talking about generational wealth,” said Christian. To-date Christian has given out with the support of sponsors over a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships to students.

Christine Williams of Scotiabank and the conventions Title/Presenting Sponsor urged the students in attendance to consider careers in the banking sector and to visit the Scotiabank booth.

The two-day convention included a university and career fair and workshops such as “Gaining an edge on academic excellence,” presented by spoken word artiste, Al St. Louis and “Financial Literacy,” presented by Jeff Anderson and Grant Thornton among others.

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